The Toronto Maple Leafs have been active in the early days of the free agency period, making several signings to bolster their depth at both the NHL and AHL levels. Here's a rundown of the latest news and rumors surrounding the team:
Pontus Holmberg
Pontus Holmberg, a versatile forward who spent the last three seasons with the Maple Leafs, will not be returning to Toronto. The Leafs did not tender him a qualifying offer, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent. Holmberg signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning with an average annual value of $1.55 million. Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving explained that the decision not to qualify Holmberg was due to the player's arbitration rights, which could have elevated his salary. Treliving clarified that the team liked Holmberg but could not agree on a suitable number before he hit unrestricted free agency. In 68 games last season, Holmberg recorded 7 goals and 12 assists.
Alex Steeves
Forward Alex Steeves, who has spent the majority of his time with the Toronto Marlies, signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins. The contract has an annual average value of $850,000. Several departing Maple Leafs players, including Steeves and Nick Abruzzese, have found new homes with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Steeves has been a prolific scorer in the AHL but has struggled to find consistent playing time in the NHL.
Benoit-Olivier Groulx
The Maple Leafs have signed forward Benoit-Olivier Groulx to a two-year contract with a $812,500 cap hit. The 25-year-old has appeared in 65 career NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks, registering one goal and five points. Last season, he played 47 games with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, scoring 15 goals and 37 points. Groulx was originally drafted by the Ducks in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft. He will likely start his time in the Maple Leafs organization in the minors.
Michael Pezzetta
Michael Pezzetta, a Toronto native, has signed a two-year, $1.575 million deal with the Maple Leafs. The deal will see him earn $775,000 in the first year and $800,000 in the second. The 27-year-old forward has spent his entire NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, recording 15 goals and 23 assists in 200 games. Pezzetta is known for his physical style of play. General Manager Brad Treliving highlighted Pezzetta's physicality, skating ability, and forechecking as valuable assets.
Vinni Lettieri
The Maple Leafs have signed forward Vinni Lettieri to a one-year contract with an average annual value of $775,000. The 30-year-old split last season between the Boston Bruins and their AHL affiliate, Providence. In 26 games with Boston, he had three goals and two assists. Lettieri has 15 goals and 32 points in 155 career NHL games. He has also been a productive player in the AHL, with 141 goals and 287 points in 324 games. Lettieri is viewed as a depth signing who will likely split time between the Maple Leafs and the Toronto Marlies.
These recent signings indicate the Maple Leafs' focus on adding depth and physicality to their roster.
